- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday has adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lawmaker, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, membership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The suit, filed by the ADC Ward Chairman, Mr Okezuo Kanayo, and his Secretary, Mr Isaiah Sameul, through their lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere (SAN), sought an order to stop Kingibe from parading herself as member of the ADC.
In verdict on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, adjourned the hearing of the suit to June 9 following an application for adjournment by counsel for the plaintiffs, I. G. Ogugwa.
Ogugwa, who said the matter was not a pre-election case shortly when it was called for hearing, prayed the court for a longer date.
Prior to the adjournment of the case, Justice Lifu had, on April 2, refused to grant an application seeking an interim order restraining Sen. Kingibe from parading herself as member of ADC.
The judge, in a ruling, rather ordered the plaintiffs in the suit to put Kingibe, who currently represents the FCT at the Senate, on notice to show cause why the reliefs sought should not be granted.
He then adjourned the matter until April 20 for hearing of all pending applications, including a preliminary objection filed by counsel to the lawmaker, Marshall Abubakar.
Meanwhile, the motion, dated March 17 and filed same day, the plaintiffs had sought an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from performing any functions or participating in any activities reserved for ADC’s members in any capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
In their seven grounds of argument, their lawyer submitted that Kingibe, though a sitting senator, is first a member of ADC and is bound by the party’s constitution.
He said following substantiated allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and the physical confiscation of the ward’s statutory records, the Wuse Ward Executive Committee, on March 10 suspended her.
According to Olowookere, the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC Constitution and was ratified by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee.
The lawyer said Kingibe had continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member.
He alleged that the lawmaker also utilised her security detail to intimidate the ward executives, thereby creating a state of anarchy.